Page 71 of Cross Me

“Around the corner.” Georgia directed him to a secluded spot and Smith shot her dirty looks.

“Who taught you how to drive?” he asked her.

“The same person who taught you,” she admitted, “but while you’ve been roaming the streets in your flashy sports cars, I got better at it.”

“They’re always like this,” Belle said under her breath.

The doctor’s office was empty, a courtesy I was definitely grateful for. Right now I didn’t feel like having my photo taken or eyes follow me through the clinic. Belle was the only one allowed into the exam room with me. We left Smith and Georgia bickering outside.

A round-faced nurse bustled in and cheerfully took my vitals, asking me questions about how I felt, like I was any other patient who might walk through the doors. It was a nice change of pace.

“This is different than I expected,” Belle told me when the nurse left to call the doctor.

“What happens at your appointments?” I settled against the exam chair.

“The exact same thing,” she said.

“I’ll make them call me Your Majesty for the rest of the exam if you like,” I said dryly.

Doctor Ball entered the room scanning my chart, and his brows crinkled with concern. “Your blood pressure seems high.”

“I just spoke with my mother.” Madeline Bishop should come with her own side effects disclaimer: May cause sudden increase in blood pressure, heart palpitations, feelings of depression and homicidal urges.

“I suppose I can’t tell you not to speak with your mother until after the baby’s born,” he said.

“I wish you would,” I said with a bitter smile. Doctor’s orders might be the only thing to keep her at bay.

“Leave her to me.” Belle patted my hand.

“Let’s keep an eye on it,” he suggested. “Are you ready to see your baby?” He glanced around as if realizing something was missing. “Will your husband be joining us?”

I forced a brittle smile. “He couldn’t. I brought my best friend.”

“Oh lovely.” He stuck out his hand in introduction. She took it and his head cocked to the side. “And how far along are you?”

“Ten weeks.” Belle practically vibrated with excitement because he’d noticed. He must have had a sixth sense when it came to pregnant women, because she still looked the same to me.

“Now let’s meet the new addition,” he suggested.

The ultrasound gel was cold as he applied it to my bump and I craned my head to see the monitor, holding my breath. I was still only feeling the baby sporadically, and I was a little nervous. But then: there he was, dancing on the screen. I exhaled as a gentle peace washed over me, followed instantly by guilt from keeping Alexander away.

“So, are we finding out?” Dr. Ball asked.

I hesitated. Part of me wanted to keep it a surprise. The other part wondered if Alexander wanted to know. One of my favorite things about being pregnant last time was the ongoing debate we’d had about whether the baby was a boy or girl. “I’m not sure.”

“I’ll make a note in my files and I can tell you later if you decide you want to know.”

I nodded. That seemed like a perfect compromise.

“I’m going to check some measurements and make sure we’re where we should be. I’ll send you with pictures to share with your family.”

I murmured a thanks, my eyes never leaving the tiny life growing inside me. Belle squeezed my hand and I saw she had tears in her eyes.

“He’s perfect,” she told me.

“He, huh?” It was good to know she was in my camp on the gender debate.

“Or she,” she teased.